Press Releases

COLUMBUS – Gov. John R. Kasich has denied a request for executive clemency from Gary Otte who was convicted in Cuyahoga County for the 1992 robbery and murder of 61 year-old Robert Wasikowski and 45 year-old Sharon Kostura at their respective apartments in Parma, OH. The Governor’s decision follows the advice of the Ohio Parole Board, who on February 10, 2017, recommended against clemency for Otte by a vote of 11-0.

Additionally, in consultation with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, the governor updated Ohio’s current execution schedule. After the U.S. Supreme Court rejected claims by Ohio inmates that the state’s protocol was unconstitutional, allowing the execution of Ronald Phillips to proceed in July, the state reviewed the existing schedule to ensure Ohio would meet the goal of conducting court-ordered executions in a humane and professional manner. The new schedule for the duration of the Kasich Administration is as follows:

The execution of Gary Otte, scheduled for September 13, 2017, is unchanged.

The execution of Alva Campbell, Jr., scheduled for November 15, 2017, is unchanged. Inmate Campbell was convicted in Franklin County for the 1997 murder of Charles Dials. Campbell had taken Dials hostage after assaulting a deputy sheriff, stealing her service pistol and fleeing before a scheduled court appearance on aggravated robbery charges

The execution of Raymond Tibbetts has been moved from October 18, 2017 to February 13, 2018. Inmate Tibbetts was convicted in Hamilton County for the 1997 murder of his wife Judith Crawford and the couple’s 67 year old landlord Fred Hicks, for whom Ms. Crawford was a live-in caretaker.

The execution of William Montgomery has been moved from January 3, 2018 to April 11, 2018. Inmate Montgomery was convicted in Lucas County for the 1986 murders of roommates Debra Ogle and Cynthia Tincher.

The execution of Robert Van Hook has been moved from February 13, 2018 to July 18, 2018. Inmate Van Hook was convicted in Hamilton County for the 1985 murder of David Self, whom he brutally attacked and killed after the two spent the night drinking together at a bar.

The execution of Cleveland Jackson, scheduled for September 13, 2018, is unchanged. Inmate Jackson was convicted in Allen County for the 2002 shooting death of 17 year-old Leneshia Williams during an apartment robbery.